Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 11.djvu/574

 55$ THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

opinion in favor of the creation, and of the immediate creation, of a sociological organization of some sort. Differences of opin- ion seemed to arise only in connection with the third and fourth questions stated in the invitation, but even with regard to these there was a considerable majority in favor of the creation of a separate and independent organization (which it was felt, how- ever, should meet at the same time and place as the Economic Association), and of providing that the scope of the new organ- ization be sufficiently wide to include among its members not only those interested in sociology from a purely theoretical and academic point of view, but also those who are engaged in prac- tical sociological work. It was suggested, in a number of the replies received, that the work of the new organization should be so arranged as to avoid duplicating the work being undertaken by other associations already in existence such as the National Prison Association and the National Conference of Charities and Correction.

The trend of opinion among the writers of these replies may be indicated by the following quotations from letters received :

Says Professor E. A. Ross, of the University of Nebraska :

I think it is high time to organize a sociological group .... that will make provision for three sessions of its own at the time of the meeting of the Historical, Economic, and Political Science Associations. These sessions should be held at the time that the economists are busy with the pure theory portions of their program. As the American Journal of Sociology will no doubt publish the best part of the proceedings, I see no reason for our group

doing any publishing In a few years, when the status of sociology is

more assured, it will be time to develop into a full-fledged association.

Professor Albion W. Small wrote as follows: 1 count much on this conference of sociologists. I have shifted my own view-point somewhat since the idea was first broached. I should now be in favor of a separate society, not with a view to a permanent split from the other societies engaged in the study of the social sciences, but in order to stand up and be counted more definitely, and to attract the attention of the other people more clearly than we can while merely lost in the old-time

shuffle I should urge that the sociologists keep the machinery of

their society as simple and inexpensive as possible, so that dues will not be a serious additional burden to anybody; and that we attempt to recognize